Dreamers

Dreamers is a Charnwood support project for young refugees and asylum seekers. It helps young people aged between 11-25 years old. It is run by County Council Youth Workers.

The project began life in 2002 when Andrew Lake, a local Youth Worker, met a single young man from Kosovo who told him of the difficulties he was facing adapting to life in the UK. The group grew in membership until it now supports nearly 90 young peope in Charnwood. The members come from Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, Armenia, Syria, Kosovo and Albania. There are now three Youth Workers attached to the project.

Dreamers offers to its members the same sort of opportunities any good youth club does. A chance to meet your mates, have a laugh, go camping, Canoeing, climbing, discussions and so on. Uniquely the group also brings together young refugees and asylum seekers who often feel alone, isolated, struggling to understand life in the UK and misunderstood, and sadly quite a few of the members have been attacked by racists. Meeting together gives the young people strength and the opportunity to challenge prejudice and get their point of view over. A key role of the group is to tell the truth about Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

Dreamers go to London...

On Monday 2nd June 13 members of Dreamers visited the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. They met with policy advisors to discuss what the British Government is doing to help Afghanistan, and why British troops remain there. Dreamers were given a chance to ask questions and give their opinions about what needs to be done to help the people of Afghanistan. All of the Dreamers members did excellent, and were confident enough to speak up. They acheived what they set out to do, and discussed many important issues.

And of course...
There was time for some fun! Dreamers went on the London Eye, did some sightseeing, and took LOTS of photos!

Andy Reed MP visits Dreamers.

Earlier this year Dreamers met with Andy Reed at Westminster, and he agreed to spend more time with the group back in Loughborough listening to their stories. He said 'It was really good to meet with the young people involved in the Dreamers project. The stories of these young people are very inspiring. It is good to hear how well they are settling in Loughborough - and i hope in the UK we will always have the reputation of being able to offer sanctuary to those in genuine need so they can rebuild their lives'. Dreamers found Andy to be really friendly. He spent time with them talking about important issues to them and also took time to play table tennis. And as always with Dreamers, he had to pose for photos.

Congratulations...

...to all Dreamers members who recieved your ESOL award at Loughborough Colleges presentation evening (24th June). well done for all your hard work. Good luck for those of you continuing on to other courses.

Upcoming events...

For more information contact:

Andrew Lake (Area Coordinator)
Angela Taylor (Responsible Leader)
Nicole Crossley (Assistant Leader)
Mountfields Lodge Youth Centre
Mountfields Lodge
Epinal Way
Loughborough
Tel: 01509 267796
Email: alake@leics.gov.uk
ajtaylor@leics.gov.uk
ncrossley@leics.gov.uk